title: Invited commentary: Fostering resilience among Native American youth through therapeutic intervention.
abstract: This article offers a comprehensive overview and understanding of the needs of Native American Youth for researchers, educators, and practitioners based on current research and practice. Strengths and protective factors are discussed in terms of Native strengths in context, the strengths and resilience of Native ways, Indigenous ways of knowing, the relationship between cultural identity and the tribal nation, the importance of family, the roles of the wisdom keepers, spiritual ways, and communication styles. Contextual influences are explored in terms of the relationship between history and healing from intergenerational grief and trauma, the influence of acculturation, as well as current social, economic, and political issues that affect Native youth. Implications for research and therapeutic intervention are explored in terms of healing from historical trauma and oppression. The authors offer an overview of common presenting issues and recommendations, practical tribally-specific interventions, and reflections on what it means to work from a social justice and client/community advocacy perspective with a focus on providing effective therapeutic, culturally-based interventions with Native children and adolescents that promote resilience and foster positive development with this population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Professional Studies, University of West Georgia, 1601 Maple Street, Carrollton, GA, 30118, USA, mgarrett@westga.edu.
authors.forename: Michael Tlanusta
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Garrett
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Parrish
authors.forename: Cyrus
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Grayshield
authors.forename: Tarrell Awe Agahe
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Portman
authors.forename: Edil Torres
authors.initials: ET
authors.lastname: Rivera
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Maynard
mesh_terms: D000069:Acculturation; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000379:methods* / Q000458:organization & administration; D003376:Counseling / Q000379:methods* / Q000458:organization & administration; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D054521:Cultural Competency; D005195:Family Relations; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American / Q000523:psychology*; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D055500:Resilience, Psychological; D012935:Social Justice; D029181:Spirituality; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology